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Misanet.com / The Nation, 13 February - Many rural areas in Malawi do not have access to hydroelectricity, either because they cannot afford to pay for it or because Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) does not provide them the service. But there is hope for many people in the rural areas with the coming of the solar energy system. For people in the Northern Region, Scotch Solar Systems could be the answer. The brains behind the firm is MacDonald Chipeta, an enterprising man based in Mzuzu, who has been fixing solar home systems for the rural masses since 1994. Having studied plumbing at Lilongwe Technical College between 1982-1986, under the apprenticeship programme and electrical engineering at Polytechnic between late 1989-1992, after obtaining the then called Malawi Certificate of Education, Chipeta did not become a solar energy dealer by chance. He first worked with the Ministry of Forest and Natural Resources until early 1989, when he secured an opportunity to study solar water heating and solar electricity abroad. "A certain company in Blantyre wanted a person with sound communication skills to go abroad to study solar energy so that he could work with the company upon his return. I applied and qualified and was sent to Zimbabwe to study at Ecological Designs in 1989," says the 42-year-old Chipeta. Fully equipped in Zimbabwe, Chipeta says when he came back, he assisted in setting up Chilon Agencies, a solar energy company, in Blantyre where he was sales and installation manager. He then resigned from the company and worked with Eco-electric Solar Company for two years. It was his experience at this company that prompted him to set up his own firm. - During my travels in the villages, people used to ask for solar installations in their homes. But the Eco-electric Solar Company could not serve them because it targeted large organisations only such as churches, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Ministry of Health, and others, says Chipeta. Sympathetic with the rural communities, who did not have access to hydroelectricity, but required solar installations, Chipeta says he decided to go solo in order to help them. "Then in 1994, I opened my office at H.H.I in Blantyre under the label Scotch Solar Systems and in April 1995, I moved here, Mzuzu," says Chipeta. Since he settled in Mzuzu, Chipeta has made quite remarkable success. He boasts over 200 installations especially in Rumphi and Mzimba. "My company is self advertising. Since I made my first installations in 1994, many people have been requesting my services having seen how my first clients benefited from the installations. Most of my clients are farmers from the rural areas," says Chipeta. But what exactly does he do when he meets a client who wants an installation? "I first get details about what a client requires, that is the number of lighting points, number and type of electrical appliances to be used such as television, refrigerators or radios, and the period of time those appliances are to be used in a day. - After getting those details, I design an appropriate solar system for the client. After installing, I put in place a guarantee of some days for the client in case the installation is affected by rains or lack of sunshine, says Chipeta. Besides, this only solar dealer in the Northern Region says he does not put money in the forefront of his business without considering the pocket sizes of his clients. If the client is unable to pay the total cost of the installation in full at one go, the client is asked to make a 50 percent down payment of the total charge at first, and then pay the balance either in instalments or under agreed terms. The company includes all the hardware, transport and installation costs in the charge in order to cushion its expenses. However, we do not intend to charge the customers in a way that discourages them, Chipeta says. But how efficient and effective has the system been? According to Chipeta, it is one of the most reliable electrical installations. He says the solar panel, which is the main component of the solar installation and which converts sunshine into electricity, if properly installed, has got a life span of 20-30 years. He further explains that the solar battery, another major component, which stores converted electricity from the panel, can survive for 5-10 years, again if properly maintained. He adds that another major component, the charge controller, which he claims is the brain of the system, monitoring and controlling power going into and coming out of the battery, can stay for ever, as long as it is not tampered with. Chipeta also says that the load which is usually solar lights for most clients, has a life-span of 10, 000 working hours. - We basically specialise in lighting system, water pumping, refrigeration system and, partly, water heating system, says Chipeta. But not all days are Sundays for Chipeta. He has persevered difficult times with some of his clients to reach where he is now. "Clients usually pay the 50 percent initial payment, but we sweat to get the remaining 50 percent," says Chipeta. Nevertheless, he hopes things will soon change for the better when the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Malawi (Reima), a government project funded by the Danish government, kicks off in two months' time. Chipeta says in the project, solar companies will be installing solar systems for clients. But he says payment shall not be made directly by the clients, but by the client's employer or organisation, such as the Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama), Small Holder Coffee Authority, since most clients are farmers. - We will be receiving full payment for our services, but the clients will agree with their employers or organisations on the mode of payment. So we shall no longer be chasing debtors for payment. As such, I hope my business will improve, says Chipeta, who is married and has five children. A born Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Christian, Chipeta comes from Timeyo Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba. He, however, grew up at Mlowe in Rumphi. After a tiring day, Chipeta says there is nothing that uplifts his spirits more than a dish of nsima with okra. For variety, he says, he alternates that with nsima and beef. When out of his work schedule, Chipeta is usually glued to television, mainly watching and listening to news broadcasts. Meanwhile, Chipeta, whose firm is based in Mzuzu Old Town, is keeping his fingers crossed, so that the Reima project takes off quickly. Indeed with only four percent of the population accessing Escom's hydroelectricity, Chipeta's solar installation business has a bright future. By Daniel Nyirenda (The Nation, Malawi)
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